Dawn Patrol

Fishing for tarpon at dawn can be a sensational experience. On the best mornings, the water is absolutely calm, not the faintest ripple. As darkness slowly softens into pre-dawn, the mangrove shoreline is suggested by the soft edges between the paling sky and darkly ranging trees, the silence is broken by the sound of a tarpon rolling. Sound is different when not accompanied by sight - more distinct, but no sense of distance, vague sense of direction. Slow light warms the water to gold tainted orange. And the tarpon awaken. And the day begins. This is where we join a recent dawn patrol.